JP2019517440A - Packaging apparatus for forming a sealed package from a tube of packaging material - Google Patents

Abstract

From the tube (3), a packaging device (1) is described to form a sealed package (2). The packaging device (1) is moved along the path (P, Q) by means of an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in the conveyor zone (8), a transport cart (9) and a plurality of transport carts (9) Operation unit (10, 10 '). Each operation unit (10, 10 ') has an operation setting in which the operation unit (10, 10') operates the tube (3) and a rest setting in which the operation unit (10, 10 ') is removed from the tube (3) Move between Each operating unit (10, 10 ') comprises a half shell (36) and one of the sealing element (37a) or the reverse sealing element (37b), and each operating unit (10, 10') comprises The conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced from the operating zone (33) in which the tubes (3) are operated, to be carried by one respective transport cart (9) and extending laterally therefrom . [Selected figure] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for forming a plurality of sealed packages for pourable food products from a tube of packaging material.

  As is known, many liquid or liquid foods, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra high temperature processed) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterile packaging material.

  A typical example is a parallelepiped shape for liquid or fluid foods known as Tetra Brik Aseptic®, made by creasing and sealing laminated ribbon packaging material. Package. The packaging material has a multilayer structure, for example comprising a base layer of paper, which is coated on both sides with layers of heat-sealed plastic material, for example polyethylene. In the case of an aseptic package for long-term preservation products such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen barrier material, such as aluminum foil, which is superimposed on the layer of heat seal plastic material and then heat Covered with another layer of sealing plastic material to form the inner surface of the package which will eventually contact the food.

  Packages of this type are usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines, in which a continuous tube is formed from a web of packaging material, the web of packaging material being, for example, a chemical sterilant, in the packaging machine, The sterilization is achieved, for example by applying hydrogen peroxide solution, and once the sterilization is complete, it is evaporated, for example by heating, removed from the surface of the packaging material, and so sterilized The web is maintained in a closed sterile environment and longitudinally folded and sealed to form a tube, which is fed along a vertical advancing direction.

  In order to complete the forming operation, as the tube is advanced along the vertical advance direction, the sterilized or sterilized food is filled and sealed in the packaging device of the packaging machine, and so on Cut along equally spaced cross sections.

  The pillow packages are so obtained in the packaging device, each pillow package having a longitudinal sealing band and a pair of top and bottom lateral sealing bands.

  Packaging devices for use in packaging machines, as described for example in EP-B-0887265, are known, which are spaced apart from one another and define an advancing space between one another. The tube includes a first chain conveyor and a second chain conveyor, and the tube passes through the advancing space while being advanced in the advancing direction.

  More specifically, the first chain conveyor has a plurality of first operation units, which are attached to the first endless chain and are advanced along the first endless path. And each first operating unit includes a half shell, a sealing element, and a retractable cutting element. The second conveyor includes a plurality of second operating units, which are attached to the respective second endless chains, adapted to advance along the second endless path, and Each second operating unit is associated with a respective first operating unit. Each second operating unit comprises a half shell, a reverse sealing element and a seat. Each first operating unit, in particular the respective half shell, the sealing element and the pullable cutting element, is associated with the associated second operating unit, in particular the respective half shell, the respective opposite sealing element and the respective seat Designed to work together, forming a package together.

  More particularly, the sealing element is a heating element, and the oppositely directed sealing element is made of an elastomeric material and provides mechanical support for gripping the tube during the sealing process.

  Furthermore, the packaging apparatus comprises a first cam surface, the first cam surface being arranged close to the first chain conveyor, and the operating setting in which the operating unit contacts the tube, and the second operating unit is a tube Are adapted to move the first operating unit between the rest setting to be removed. The packaging apparatus also has a second cam surface, the second cam surface being positioned near the second chain conveyor, and to move the second operating unit between the operating setting and the rest setting. Configured In particular, each of the first operating unit and the respective second operating unit cooperate with one another when they are in their respective operating settings.

  A disadvantage of the packaging device disclosed in EP-B-0887265 is that the packaging device itself requires extensive repair work. For example, in the case of a format change, the operating unit needs to be adapted to the new format in order to work on a single operating unit, which breaks up the chains of the first chain conveyor and the second chain conveyor Needed, otherwise the available space is not enough to perform the desired task. However, disassembly of the chain requires a great deal of work and results in quite long production downtime.

  Similarly, for example, in the case of a failure of one operating unit, generally at least one of the respective chains of the first chain conveyor and the second chain conveyor has to be disassembled as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to work on the solution of the fault only after breaking up each chain.

  Thus, the repair of the packaging device disclosed in EP-B-0887265 results in a rather long downtime for the whole production process, which also increases the economic loss.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks in a simple manner.

  According to the invention, a packaging device according to claim 1 is provided.

  Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a packaging device according to the invention, with some parts removed for clarity. Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of a detail of the packaging apparatus of Figure 1 with some parts removed for clarity. Figure 2 shows a perspective top side view of another detail of the packaging device of Figure 1 with some parts removed for clarity. Figure 2 shows a perspective top view of yet another detail of the packaging device of Figure 1 with some parts removed for clarity.

  The reference 1 generally designates a packaging device for producing a sealed package 2 of fluid food, for example pasteurized milk or fruit juice, from a tube 3 of sheet-like packaging material. It is known that such a package 2 has a top transverse seal band and a bottom transverse seal band.

  The packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown) and comprises a layer of fibrous material, usually paper, and is coated on both sides with respective layers of heat-sealed plastic material, eg polyethylene.

  In the case of an aseptic package for long-term storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of gaseous and light blocking material, such as aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is a heat-sealed plastic material. Superimposed on the layer and then covered with another layer of heat seal plastic material to form the inner surface of the package which will eventually contact the food.

  The tube 3 is formed in a known manner by longitudinally folding and sealing a web of heat-sealed sheet-like packaging material (not shown and known as such) and sealed , And as such) is packaged with the pasteurized or pasteurized food to be packaged and delivered to the packaging apparatus 1 in a known manner not shown.

  Furthermore, the tube 3 is advanced within the packaging device 1 along the advancing axis A of the packaging device 1 and in the example shown in FIG. 1 in particular, the axis A has a vertical orientation.

  The packaging device 1 comprises a first shaping assembly 4 and a second shaping assembly 5 adapted to interact with the tube 3 to form a package 3 from the tube 3.

  More specifically, shaping assemblies 4 and 5 are spaced apart from one another and face one another. In particular, the shaping assemblies 4 and 5 are positioned on each side, in particular on the opposite side, relative to the axis A. Furthermore, the shaping assemblies 4 and 5 at least partially delimit the shaping space 6, through which the tube 3 is advanced along the axis A in use.

More specifically, shaping assembly 4 is:
An endless conveyor device 7 arranged in the conveyor zone 8 of the device 1;
-In particular, a plurality of transport carts 9 co-operating with the transport carts independent of one another and adapted to be advanced along the endless conveyor device 7, in particular along the cart path (not shown) Transport carts 9; and-adapted to be moved by the transport cart 9 along a path P defined by the movement of the transport cart 9 along the conveyor device 7, and in particular cart paths A plurality of motion units 10 having motion portions P1 parallel to and parallel to the advancing axis A, each motion unit 10 being adapted to interact with the tube 3 in use There are multiple operation units 10
including.

  More specifically, the cart path is in the first plane H1 and the path P is in the second plane H2. In particular, the planes H1 and H2 are spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another. Even more particularly, the planes H1 and H2 are spaced along a spacing axis B, the axis B being orthogonal to the axis A and the planes H1 and H2. Furthermore, the planes H1 and H2 are parallel to the axis A, in particular the axis A lies in the plane H2.

  Furthermore, the shaping assembly 4 comprises a support frame 14 carrying a conveyor device 7. The frame 14 is supported by a support structure (not shown) of the device 1.

  In particular, the frame 14 has a plate-like configuration and extends laterally along the axis B.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the conveyor device 7 comprises a first endless guide rail 16 and a second endless guide rail 17, which are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from one another, And a plurality of transport carts 9 adapted to be movably supported. In particular, the guide rails 16 and 17 are supported by the frame 14.

  Furthermore, each guide rail 16 and 17 comprises a respective pair of parallel straight rail portions 16a and 17a, in particular parallel to the axis A, and a pair of curved rail portions 16b and 17b. The straight rail portions 16a and 17a are arranged parallel to the axis A, and the curved rail portions 16b and 17b respectively connect the straight rail portions 16a and 17a to one another.

  More specifically, conveyor apparatus 7 includes a first endless rail assembly 18 and a second endless rail assembly 19 that carry guide rails 16 and 17, respectively. Rail assemblies 18 and 19 are spaced apart from one another and disposed parallel to one another.

  More specifically, rail assemblies 18 and 19 include linear sections 18a and 19a, such as a pair of plates, and curved sections (not shown), such as a pair of plates, for connecting linear sections 18a and 19a to one another. Have. Further, rail assemblies 18 and 19 are configured to partially receive frame 14 such that frame 14 supports rail assemblies 18 and 19. In particular, the rail assemblies 18 and 19 are oriented perpendicularly to the frame 14.

  Further, rail assemblies 18 and 19 are provided with oval shaped grooves 18b and 19b respectively provided along the periphery of each of rail assemblies 18 and 19 and configured to delimit respective guide rails 16 and 17 Including.

  Furthermore, the conveyor device 7 comprises a plurality of coil assemblies (not shown and known as such) adapted to interact with the conveyor cart 9. In particular, the coil assembly is configured to selectively control the advancement of the conveyor cart 9 along the conveyor apparatus 7. More specifically, the coil assembly is adapted to generate an electromagnetic field to interact with the conveyor cart 9.

  The coil assembly is disposed between the guide rails 16 and 17, in particular between the rail assemblies 18 and 19.

  In particular, the coil assembly may be selectively energized (or energized) to advance the carts 4 along the carrier 2 independently of one another.

  Furthermore, the conveyor device 7 has a cover 20, in particular having an oval configuration, the cover being arranged between the guide rails 16 and 17, in particular between the rail assemblies 18 and 19. The cover 20 includes a pair of straight portions 20a parallel to the frame 14 and a pair of curved portions 20b (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) connecting the straight portions 20a to each other.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-4, each transport cart 9 is:
The coil assembly for controlling the advancement of the cart 9 along the conveyor device 7 independently of the conveyor device 7 and in particular the coil assembly of the conveyor device 7 and even more particularly in particular the other carts 9 A magnet assembly 21 adapted to interact with the electromagnetic field generated by the solid; and-in particular movably and reversibly mounted on the conveyor device 7 by engaging with the guide rails 16 and 17 And a cart base 22 adapted to move along the conveyor apparatus 7
including.

  Furthermore, each cart 4 comprises connecting means 23, in particular eight screw members in the specific example, in order to releasably couple the respective cart base 22 to the respective magnet assembly 21. In the example, each magnet assembly 21 comprises a plurality of magnet bodies (not shown) designed to provide a defined magnetic field strength. Alternatively, the magnet assembly 21 may include one single magnet body to provide the required characteristics.

In more detail, each cart 9, in particular each cart base 22:
A first side portion 24 adapted to engage with the guide rail 16; and a second side portion 25 opposite to the side portion 24 and configured to engage the guide rail 17.
including.

  In a further detail, the side portions 24 and 25 are spaced from one another along their respective separation axis C, in particular the axis C is orthogonal to the axis A. Furthermore, the axis C is parallel to the axis B. The axis C is also orthogonal to the planes H1 and H2.

  In further detail, the side portions 24 and 25 are perpendicular to the cover 20 and orthogonal to the frame 14 when engaged with the respective straight rail portions 16a and 17a.

  Furthermore, each cart 9, in particular the respective cart base 22, is a main part which is arranged between and connected to the side parts 24 and 25, in particular adapted to extend parallel to the axis C Having 26. More specifically, main portion 26 is disposed perpendicular to side portions 24 and 25. Preferably, main portion 26 is parallel to the facing portions of frame 14 and cover 20. At least the side portions 24 are releasably coupled to the main portion 26, in particular in order to enable the mounting and dismounting of the respective carts 9, in particular the respective cart base 22 with respect to the conveyor device 7. In the specific embodiment disclosed, the side portions 24 and 25 are removably coupled to the main portion 26. In particular, each cart base 22 includes respective first and second coupling means for releasably connecting the side portions 24 and 25 to the main portion 26.

  Furthermore, each main portion 26 is releasably coupled to the respective magnet assembly 22, in particular so that the respective magnet assembly 22 is spaced from the cover 20 and placed between the main portion 22 and the cover 20. Configured Thus, the respective connecting means 23 of each cart 9 is designed to cooperate with the respective main part 26.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the side portions 24 and 25 include one respective wheel group 30 adapted to travel along the respective guide rails 16 and 17.

  Furthermore, each wheel group 30 includes a front pair of wheels 31 and a rear pair of wheels 32 adapted to travel along the respective guide rails 16 and 17. In particular, each front pair of wheels 31 and each rear pair of wheels 32 are configured to sandwich their respective guide rails 16 and 17 therebetween.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, each operating unit 10 is carried by one respective transport cart 9, in particular removably carried and extends laterally away from them.

  More particularly, each operating unit 10 is connected, in particular releasably connected, to the side part 25 of the respective cart 9. More specifically, each operating unit 10 extends along the axis C away from the cart 9. In further detail, the conveyor zone 8 extends from the operating zone 33 of the device 1 different from the conveyor zone 8, since the operating units 10 extend laterally away from the respective cart 9, in particular away from the side part 25. , Laterally spaced along the axis C. In use, the operating unit 10 interacts with the tube 3 in the operating zone 33. In particular, in use, the tube 3 is manipulated in the operating zone 33, in particular to form the package 2.

  Furthermore, each operating unit 10 is adapted to operate the tube 3 by the operating unit 10, the operating setting reached along the operating part P1 of the path P, and the operating unit 10 being removed from the tube 3, It is adapted to be selectively moved between the rest setting reached along the rest part P2 of the path P different from the part P1.

  More specifically, each operating unit 10 advances substantially in the operating zone 33 when advancing along the operating part P1 of the path P. The active part P1 extends from the start station 34 to the end station 35, and the rest part P2 extends from the end station 35 to the start station 34.

  In particular, when one respective operating unit 10 is advanced on the operating part P1, ie from the start station 34 to the end station 35 during use, the respective carts 9 are straight lines of the respective guide rails 16 and 17 It moves along the rail portions 16a and 17a. Furthermore, in use, when one respective operating unit 10 is advanced over the rest portion P2, ie from the end station 35 to the start station 34, the respective carts 9 have respective curved rail portions 16b and 17b and respective respective It moves along the straight rail portions 16a and 17a.

Furthermore, each operation unit 10
A half shell 36 adapted to contact the tube 3 and at least partially define the shape of the package 2; and a sealing element adapted to laterally seal the tube 3 between adjacent packages 2 37a or one of the oppositely directed sealing elements 37b, in the example shown the sealing element 37a
including.

  In particular, each half shell 36 is adapted to be controlled between the working position and the rest position by means of a drive assembly (not shown). In particular, each half shell 36 is adapted to be controlled to the working position, in use, with the respective operating unit 10 being set to the respective operating setting.

More specifically, each half shell 36 has a C-shaped configuration and:
-The main wall 36a; and-particularly laterally movable, and in particular in use, the respective operating unit 10 along the operating part P1; ie when advancing between the start station 34 and the end station 35, the shaft A pair of side flaps 36b arranged to extend towards A
including.

  More specifically, each sealing element 37a is a heating element. Furthermore, each reverse sealing element 37b is made of an elastomeric material and is adapted to provide mechanical support for gripping the tube 3 during the sealing process.

  Each operating unit 10 also includes a base 38 removably connected to the respective side portion 25 and carrying a respective half shell 36 and a respective sealing element 37a or a reverse sealing element 37b.

  Furthermore, each operating unit 10 is adapted to cut the tube 3 laterally between adjacent packages 2, in particular supported by the respective base 38 (not shown, and so on) Or one of the reverse cutting elements (not shown and known as such).

  More specifically, in the respective operating setting of each operating unit 10, the respective half shell 36 is configured to be in contact with the tube 3, in particular the respective half shell 36 is set to its respective working part, And the respective sealing element 37a or the respective reverse sealing element 37b are configured to seal the tube 3 laterally between the adjacent packages 2.

  Furthermore, the shaping assembly 4 is a cam which is spaced apart from the carrier device 7 and adapted to cooperate with the respective operating unit 10, in particular in order to selectively move each operating unit 10 to the respective operating setting or rest setting. The assembly, in particular the cam 39, is included. In particular, the cam 39 is designed to selectively move the operating unit 10 towards or away from the axis A, in particular towards or away from the tube 3.

  More particularly, the cams 39 are oriented substantially parallel to the axis A and substantially parallel to the guide rails 16 and 17. Further, the frame 14 supports the cam 39.

  Even more particularly, each operating unit 10 includes a cam follower 40 adapted to interact with the cam 39. Each cam follower 40 follows the profile defined by the cam 39 in order to move the respective operating unit 10 towards or away from the axis A, in particular towards or away from the tube 3 It is designed. In the illustrated embodiment, each cam follower 40 is a wheel designed to travel above the cam surface 41 of the cam 39.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the shaping assembly 5 is similar to the shaping assembly 4. Therefore, the following description is limited to those differences, and where possible, uses the same reference symbols for identical or corresponding parts.

  In particular, shaping assembly 5 differs from shaping assembly 4 in that it basically comprises a plurality of operating units 10 ′.

  The operating unit 10 ′ is similar to the operating unit 10, wherein the transport carts 9 of the shaping assemblies 5 are defined by the movement of the transport carts 9 along the respective endless conveyor device 7 and in particular of the shaping assemblies 5. It differs from the operating unit 10 in that it is moved along a path Q which is parallel to the respective cart path of the respective transport cart 9. In particular, the path Q is in the plane H2 and the respective cart path is in the plane H1.

  More particularly, the path Q has an operating part Q1 parallel to the advancing axis A and the operating part P1 and each operating unit 10 'is adapted to interact with the tube 3 in use There is. Furthermore, the operating units 10 'are arranged along the operating part Q1 of the path Q, in which the operating units 10' are adapted to operate the tube 3 in cooperation with one respective operating unit 10 in the respective operating setting. Selectively moving between the respective operating settings reached and the inactive settings reached along the rest portion Q2 of the path Q different from the operating portion Q1 where the operating unit 10 'is removed from the tube 3 It can be done.

  Furthermore, the respective half shell 36 of each operating unit 10 'is adapted to cooperate with the respective half shell 36 of the respective operating unit 10 to at least partially define the shape of the package 2. Furthermore, each operating unit 10 'is adapted to cooperate with the oppositely directed sealing element 37b or sealing element 37a of the respective operating unit 10 to seal the tube laterally between adjacent packages 2 37a or the other sealing element of the opposite sealing element 37b. In the illustrated embodiment, each operating unit 10 comprises one respective sealing element 37a and each operating unit 10 'comprises one respective opposite sealing element 37b.

  Furthermore, each operating unit 10 ′ is adapted to cut the tube 3 laterally between adjacent packages 2 in conjunction with the reverse cutting element or cutting element of the respective operating unit 10 ( (Not shown) or the other cutting element of the reverse cutting element (not shown).

  In use, the tube 3 is advanced along the axis A and through the operating zone 33. In addition, the cart 9 of the shaping assembly 4 and the cart 9 of the shaping assembly 5 are advanced along the respective conveyor equipment 7. In particular, the independent advancement of the cart 9 is controlled by the interaction between the respective magnet assembly 21 and the respective coil assembly.

  The advancement of the cart 9 along the respective conveyor equipment 7 leads to the advancement of the respective operating unit 10 along the path P and of the respective operating unit 10 'along the path Q.

  On advancing of the operating unit 10 along the path P and of the operating unit 10 'along the path Q, the operating unit 10 and the operating unit 10' are in particular of the respective cam 39 and of the operating unit 10 and Through the interaction, and more particularly, by means of the respective cam followers 40 of the operating units 10 and 10 'traveling above the respective cam surfaces 41, it is moved between the respective operating settings and the rest setting. Be Each cam follower 40 follows the profile defined by the respective cam 39 and thereby moves the respective operating unit 10 and 10 'towards or away from the axis A, ie the respective movement The units 10 and 10 'move towards or away from the tube 3.

  In particular, operating units 10 and 10 'are in their respective operating settings while advancing along their respective operating parts P1 and Q1 and their respective resting settings while advancing along their respective rest parts P2 and Q2 It is in.

  Furthermore, while advancing along the respective operating parts P1 and Q1, the operating units 10 and 10 'contact the tube 3 and manipulate the tube 3 to form the package 2. In particular, each operating unit 10 advancing along the operating part P1 and in its respective operating setting cooperates with one respective operating unit 10 'advancing along the operating part Q1 and in its respective operating setting. Work.

  More specifically, while the respective operating units 10 'are advanced along one operating unit P1 and one operating unit 10' along the operating unit Q1, each operating unit 10 is operated from one side. The tubes 3 are in contact, and the respective operating units 10 are in contact with the tubes 3 from the other side. In particular, the respective wall 36 a and the respective flap 36 b cooperate to surround the tube 3 in order to partially define the shape of the respective package 2. In particular, the shape is a parallelepiped type. Furthermore, the sealing elements 37a of the operating unit 10 and the reverse sealing elements 37b of the respective operating unit 10 'cooperate, in particular in order to define the bottom transverse sealing band, in particular the respective package 2, particularly the package 2 Seal laterally along the lateral bottom portion of the. Thereafter, each cutting element and each counter-cutting element cuts the tube 3. It is apparent that the top transverse sealing band along the transverse top portion of the package 2 is provided by the continuous pair of cooperating operating units 10 and 10 '.

  The formed package 2 is then guided towards the further packaging device. In particular, after formation of the package 2, the package 2 is released from contact with the respective operating unit 10 and the respective operating unit 10 ′ and on the outlet conveyor (not shown and known as such) He falls vertically by gravity. Alternatively, after formation of the packages 2, the packages 2 are guided by the respective operating unit 10 or the respective operating units 10 'onto the outlet conveyor and preferentially placed on the outlet conveyor in a horizontal orientation.

  The advantages of the device 1 according to the invention become apparent from the above description.

  A particular advantage consists in dividing the conveyor zone 8 from the operating zones 33 which are laterally separated from one another. This allows the operator to more easily evaluate the operating units 10 and 10 ', and perhaps maintenance operations on the operating units 10 and 10' (e.g. format changes, without removing them from the respective carts 9) Can solve problems, etc.).

  A further advantage is that, if necessary, one operating unit 10 or 10 'can be removed without removing the other operating unit and without having to remove the respective carts 9.

  A further advantage is that the carts 9 are mounted on the respective conveyor equipment 7 independently of the other carts 9 and, if necessary, in one single with or without the respective operating unit 10 or 10 '. It is to be able to remove the cart 9.

  In general, the device 1 is made repairable to reduce the downtime of the production process.

  It will be clear that modifications may be made to the device 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

Packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of packaging material advanced along an advancing axis (A) of the packaging apparatus (1), said packaging apparatus Packaging equipment (1):
At least endless conveyor equipment (7) arranged in the conveyor zone (8);
-A plurality of transport carts (9) adapted to cooperate with and advance along said at least endless conveyor equipment (7); and-said transport carts (9) along said endless conveyor equipment (7) Adapted to be moved by the plurality of transport carts (9) along a path (P, Q) defined by the movement of the movement and having an operating part (P1, Q1) parallel to the advance axis (A) Multiple operating units (10, 10 ')
Including
Each operating unit (10, 10 ′) is such that the operating part (P1, Q1) of the path (P, Q) is adapted such that the operating unit (10, 10 ′) operates the tube (3). And the rest of the path (P, Q) different from the operating part (P1, Q1), where the operating unit (10, 10 ') is removed from the tube (3) Adapted to be selectively moved between the rest setting reached along the part (P2, Q2);
Each operating unit (10, 10 ') is:
-A half shell (36) adapted to at least partially define the shape of said package (2); and-adapted to laterally seal said tube (3) between adjacent packages (2) One of the sealed sealing elements (37a) or the reverse sealing elements (37b),
The conveyor zone (8) is operated by the tubes (3), as each operating unit (10, 10 ') is carried by one respective transport cart (9) and extends laterally from them Packaging device (1), which is laterally spaced from the working zone (33).   Each of said plurality of transport carts (9) is adapted to advance along a cart path, said cart path being parallel to said path (P, Q); said cart path being in a first plane (H1), and the path (P) is in a second plane (H2), and the first plane (H1) and the second plane (H2) are spaced apart from one another, and The packaging device according to claim 1, which is parallel to one another.   Each transport cart (9) includes a first side portion (24) and a second side portion (25) opposite the first side portion (24), and the first The side portion (24) and the second side portion (25) are mutually spaced apart along a respective separation axis (C) perpendicular to the advance axis (A), and The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating unit (10, 10 ') extends along the separating axis (C) away from the respective transport cart (9).   The endless conveyor device (7) is arranged in parallel and spaced apart from one another and is adapted to movably support the plurality of transport carts (9) and a first endless guide rail (16) and a second Comprising endless guide rails (17), and wherein said respective first side portion (24) of each transport cart (9) is configured to engage said first endless guide rails (16); Packaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the respective second side portion (25) of each transport cart (9) is configured to engage with the second endless guide rail (17). .   Each first side portion (24) and each second side portion (25) respectively travel along the first endless guide rail (16) or the second endless guide rail (17) 5. Packaging device according to claim 4, comprising a respective wheel group (30) adapted as such.   Each wheel group (30) of the first side portion (24) and the second side portion (25) has between them the first guide rail (16) or the second guide rail ( Packaging device according to claim 5, comprising a front pair of wheels (31) and a rear pair of wheels (32) adapted to sandwich 17) respectively.   A method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each operating unit (10, 10 ') is removably connected to the respective second side portion (25) of the respective transport cart (9). Packaging device according to.   Each transport cart (9) is a main portion (26) adapted to be placed between and connected to the first side portion (24) and the second side portion (25). A packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, including at least one first side portion (24) releasably connected to the main portion (26).   The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of transport carts (9) is arranged to move along the endless transport device (7) independently of the others. Packaging equipment.   The endless conveyor apparatus (7) comprises a plurality of coil assemblies, and each of the conveyor carts (9) comprises a magnet assembly (21) adapted to interact with the plurality of coil assemblies 10. A packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, controlling the advancement of each of the conveyor carts (9) along the endless conveyor device (7).   Each conveyor cart (9) is movably mounted on the endless conveyor device (7) and carries the respective operating unit (10, 10 ') and is removable on the respective magnet assembly (21) 11. Packaging device according to claim 10, comprising a connected cart base (22).   And a cam assembly (39) spaced from said endless carrier device (7) and adapted to cooperate with said plurality of operating units (10, 10 '); said plurality of operating units (10, 10) Each ') is further configured to cooperate with the cam assembly (39) to selectively move the respective operating unit (10, 10') to its operating setting or rest setting. The packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a follower (40).   Each of the operating units (10, 10 ') comprises one of a cutting element or a reverse cutting element adapted to cut the tube (3) laterally between adjacent packages (2), The packaging apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-12. further:
An additional endless conveyor device (7) arranged in said conveyor zone (8) and facing said endless conveyor device (7);
-A plurality of additional transport carts (9) adapted to cooperate with and advance along said additional endless conveyor device (7); and-movement of said additional transport carts (9) Are moved by the additional transport cart (9) along an additional path (Q, P) defined by and the moving parts (A) of the advancing axis (A) and the path (P, Q) A plurality of additional operating units (10 ', 10) with additional operating parts (Q1, P1) parallel to P1, Q1);
Including
Each additional operating unit (10 ', 10) is carried by one respective transport cart (9) and extends laterally therefrom;
Each additional operating unit (10 ', 10) operates the tube (3) in conjunction with one respective operating unit (10, 10') by the additional operating unit (10 ', 10) The respective operating settings reached along the additional operating part (Q1, P1) of the additional path (Q, P) adapted to , 10) are removed from the tube (3), along the additional rest part (Q2, P2) of the additional path (Q, P) different from the additional working part (Q1, P1) Adapted to be selectively moved between each rest setting to be reached;
Each additional operating unit (10 ', 10) is:
-An additional half-shell (36) adapted to at least partially define the shape of the package (2) in cooperation with the half-shell (36) of the respective operating unit (10, 10 ') And-the tube (3) between adjacent packages (2) in cooperation with the reverse sealing element (37b) or the sealing element (37a) of the respective operating unit (10, 10 ') A packaging device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing element (37a) adapted to seal the sideways in the lateral direction or another sealing element of the oppositely directed sealing element (37b).   Each additional operating unit (10 ′, 10) cooperates with the reverse cutting element or the cutting element of the respective operating unit (10, 10 ′) to separate the adjacent packages (2) A packaging device as claimed in claim 14, as dependent on claim 13, comprising a cutting element adapted to cut the tube (3) laterally or another cutting element of the reverse cutting element.

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